“It is only for the best if you understand it as such.”
Lu Yan tore his sleeve from her grip as Yang Zong made his presence known.
“Young Master.”
“Come in”, Lu Yan called back.
When Yang Zong saw Shen Zhen was present, he hesitated to talk. However, Lu Yan had no desire to conceal anything. In fact, this was a most perfect setting for Yang Zong to report.
“Speak.”
Yang Zong had no choice but to do as he was told.
“At first, when Young Master asked Liu Yu to send the money to the loaner, nothing happened. However, in the past two days, everyone in the city, from the women in Pingkang Lane to the loaners, passing by wine and tea shops, started talking about the matter. This subordinate believes someone is using spies to dig for information.”
“What about about Liu Yu?”
“As per the Young Master’s orders, he left for Qizhou, as far away from Yangzhou as possible.”
Shen Hong had been sent to Yangzhou, while Liu Yu, who had been sent to pay back the debt, had gone to Qizhou, to confuse whoever wished to harm the Shen siblings.
“In addition to that … Yesterday, the wife of the Li family went to Baixiang Pavilion and then, before night fell, she made her way to Luyuan.”
Who everyone was looking for in Baixiang Pavilion was obvious enough. Hearing this, Shen Zhen’s hear could not help but skip a beat. Her white, jadeite-like hand grabbed the edge of the table, gripping it hard. Only the gods knew how much she wished to ask about Hong’er’s whereabouts, to ensure that he was safe and sound. What could be dearer to a big sister than a little brother’s wellbeing?!
Yet … She could not speak. That day, as Hong’er had been sent out on his path, Yang Zong had come to Shen Zhen to tell her to bear something in mind. Lu Yan was willing to save and protect the Shen family’s little master, however that was how far he was willing to go. From that moment on, she had no rights to ask anything from Lu Yan, and this included inquiring about her family members. If she could not follow so simple a rule, she could just leave Chengyuan at once.
But how could she have been expected to remain indifferent to everything that was happening around her? Her eyes filled with tears, her sights blurring. At that very instant, Lu Yan felt something alike the slash of a knife around his heart. Covering that region with his hand, he shot Shen Zhen a dirty look.
Raising his other hand, he painfully grabbed onto Shen Zhen’s delicate chin, deliberately reminding her:
“What did I tell you? No crying!”
Shen Zhen took a deep breath, swallowing all of her tears.
***
Four large screens made of nanmu wood concealed the bathing room. A dense vapor engulfed Shen Zhen. She had spent the whole afternoon soaking in a large barrel, not moving even when the temperature of the water had turned cold.
She had gone from extremely aggrieved to frighteningly calm. All that in one afternoon. Once her rage and anguish finally subsided, she stepped out of the tub and made a move to pull a dress on. As she was standing up, Moyue tracked in, wanting to ask Shen Zhen whether she needed more hot water. Seeing a naked Shen Zhen, she could not help but take in a sharp breath. The scene in front of her was breathtaking.
At once, Moyue understood what it was that had made the Young Master, who had never condescended to even take a concubine, to go against public opinion and install this woman as mistress. Shen Zhen’s long legs were as white as snow, slender and straight. Her waist was narrow, only setting off the sultry charm of her hips. Her shoulder-blades, as if carved by the hands of a most talented sculptor, always threatened to break through her thin flesh. She was the embodiment of grace.
Once dressed, Shen Zhen walked to her bed, sitting down with her legs under her. The light moonlight came to rest against her feet. Shen Zhen understood why Lu Yan had wanted Yang Zong to speak in front of her in the morning. It was said that some people could grow overnight. It seemed to be Shen Zhen’s case. Good does not come for free in this world. And no man would step into a woman’s residence for no reason. Just that a Duke’s heir was proud. If he wanted something, he would neither force it nor would he condescend to beg for it.
Shen Zhen was not a wife. She was not a concubine. She was nothing but a mere, replaceable, valueless mistress. Acknowledging as much, Shen Zhen clenched her fists, recalling yesterday’s events.
He had given her a chance. First, he had asked her whether she had slept in her outerwear when she had lived in the Marquis’s mansion. Then he had asked whether she would spend the night seated. He had given her two opportunities to win his favor. Unfortunately, she had not understood last night. She had hoped she could have muddled along. He had sneered at her and had simply gone to sleep.
And then? Then he had deliberately asked Yang Zong to report the recent situation in the capital in front of her. After having clearly forbidden her to even ask about her Shen family’s whereabouts. Lu Yan had wanted her to understand that he did not owe the Shen family anything. And that she was not qualified to ask him to do anything out of mercy.
However, whatever he was bound to do in the future depended on her own actions. A man’s good will could be won if only a woman was willing to bow her head.
***
In the evening, after having accomplished his duty at the Supreme Court, Lu Yan entered his carriage, setting his head against its wall. Yang Zong, lowering his eyes in respect asked:
“Is the Young Master going back to the Estate or to Chengyuan today?”
Lu Yan closed his eyes, pressing his fingers against his temples.
“Take me back to the Estate.”
Some people had to be given time to get a grasp on reality. What was the point of trying to break unwillingness with coercion? He felt no gratification in using violence to obtain what he desired. What he desired was given to him because it was condescension on his part to even want what others could give.
But as soon as he went back to the Zhen Ducal Estate, the miss of the Meng family reminded him of her existence. Old Madam Lu and Née Wen had been playing chess by an artificial pool, while Meng Suxi was standing behind Old Madam Lun, advising her on how to defeat her aunt. From a distance, they made for a most charming picture.
At the instant Lu Yan had walked in, Meng Suxi had chosen to raise her eyes, which had immediately felling on him. Leaning over, she urgently pulled at Née Wen’s sleeve, whispering into her ear:
“Auntie, the Young Master has come back.”
Recently, Lu Yan’s changed attitude towards Meng Suxi had made many a person speculate. Old Madam Lu, believing that something good was brewing, was most eager to forward any overtures on either part. Thus she called out:
“Lad Yan, come here!”
Lu Yan obeyed his grandmother, greeting each lady one by one.
Meng Suxi looked at him from the corner of her eye with a newfound timidity. The old lady seeing as much, was eager to have a conversation going.
“Lad Yan, where did you go yesterday not to come back home until now?”
Since he had become an adult, Lu Yan’s family had seldom inquired into his affairs. This type of liberty, he cherished tremendously and would not relinquish for the old.
“What is wrong? Does Grandmother need something from this grandson?”
Old Madam Lu shot Meng Suxi a knowing glance.
“Yesterday, Suxi painted a new landscape and was waiting to show you. Unfortunately, you did not come back. She kept staring at the entrance gate for the whole day, I believe.”
As soon as she heard such words, Meng Suxi blushed as if on command.
“Oh, Old Madam, do not mock Suxi. The Young Master is busy, working hard every day. Suxi is so grateful for all his guidance. How could she dare to disturb him day after day?”
“Well! It seems I said too much”, Old Madam Lu admitted with a knowing smile.
Meng Suxi forced a smile. She gave off the vibe of some helpless soul having fallen into the Yellow River. The helpless look she shot Lu Yan was most soul-stirring.
The sun was playing shadow games against the side of Lu Yan’s face. He was without a doubt the most handsome man Meng Suxi had ever seen. His eyes were deep, his nose, high-bridged. Her mother had warned her about thin-lipped men. Though they were not the types to hurt people, they were renowned for their coldness. However, in Meng Suxi’s eyes, even Lu Yan’s coldness was charming.
Two days ago, as she had played chess with him, she had been mesmerized by the man seated in front of her, wholly dressed in white, caressing the white chess pieces, moving them, placing them as was his will. She had thought at that instant that, if she were ever to marry such a man, she could easily fall in love with him.
Just when Meng Suxi thought Lu Yan would come to her rescue, he simply said:
“This grandson is a little tired today. Thus, he will not disturb Grandmother and Aunt’s game any longer.”
Née Wen immediately answered back:
“Working for the government is not leisurely. Lad Yan better go take a good rest.”
In no time, everything that was left to be seen was Lu Yan’s back as he walked away. Meng Suxi’s eyes darkened at once. It was said that once a woman took a fancy to a man, she was bound to lose her pride over and over again. Meng Suxi was the proud, self-satisfied daughter of the Meng family. And yet, she was left flustered by a man’s aloofness.
Meng Suxi could not but doubt herself. Had she done anything to displease him? She shot Old Madam Lu a begging glance, whispering:
“Old Madam, may I go and see him?”
It had been her own grandson who had given that lass such a cold look. Old Madam Lu naturally pretended to be angry and said:
“You go ahead! If he says anything displeasing, come and tell Grandmother. She will teach him a lesson for you.”
Meng Suxi shot the old lady a smile and ran away at once. Walking towards his study, she gently pushed the door ajar.
“Is the Young Master there?”
After not hearing any response, she knocked against the door once more. Lu Yan had no choice but to stand up and open the door for her. However, he blocked the way in.
“Does Miss Meng need anything?”
“Has Suxi done anything to make the Young Master unhappy?”, she asked in the smallest of voices.
Lu Yan glared at her. Nonetheless, his voice was restrained as he answered back.
“No. Miss Meng should not think too much into it.”
As if something had crossed his mind, he added:
“There are many governmental documents scattered in my study. I do not like for people to enter. In the future, I would beg Miss Meng not to come here. Please, forgive me.”
Meng Suxi bit her lip to the point of blood. But Lu Yan had little time to spare for a little girl’s wiles. He had had enough of that during the night.
“Is there anything else Miss Meng wishes to say?”
Meng Suxi shook her head.
“No. Young Master, please rest.”
The door to the study was closed at once. But just as she turned around, she smelled a faint fragrance that pervaded the air. Meng Suxi froze immediately.
A few moments ago, when he had come to see his grandmother, Lu Yan had been surrounded by women, thus Meng Suxi had not picked up on the scent. However, now that she had a chance to smell it better, she realized it was neither that of his grandmother or aunt nor her own.
He had not come back to the estate for the night. How could a woman’s fragrance be sticking to him?
